Brazil vs Belgium: Preview and Betting tips - Russia 2018 World Cup

Brazil vs Belgium
7:00pm July 6th, 2018
Kazan Arena

This fixture would have been preferred by many as the final fixture of the tournament, such a shame they have to meet at this stage.

It’s the World Cup, to be the best you have to beat the best, step up champions, it’s time to prove your worth.

On parade in this fixture would be the best of talents in the European leagues, continental championship winners and loads of domestic title winners.

Eden Hazard up against Phillip Coutinho, Neymar up against Romelu Lukaku, Marcelo against Vertonghen, Kevin De Bryune up against the surprise package of the just concluded season, Paulinho... What a game we have on our pretty hands.

On paper it’s even, wherever you look at on the pitch, quality on both sides, but someone has to want it more, now it boils down to the quality of the bench and the tactics of the managers, experience against adventurous youthfulness – Roberto Martinez proved how much of a tactician he is when he brought on two players to turn back the hands of time in their near embarrassing situation against Japan, the Asians were two up quickly in the second half and the Red Devils were on the brink of crashing out, on came Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli, the two struck late on to hand Belgium a famous comeback victory, one that would last long in both teams’ memories, one for despair of the agony that comes with such defeat from a victory position and one for the sweet feeling of victory that was clawed from the jaws of defeat.

Brazil has all the rich history to rely on, Belgium has a bright future to trust with the quality of talent at their disposal, this would be a cracker that could go either way.

Brazil will set up to attack and take the battle to the Belgians, the Red Devils will rely on the devilish over the top passes from their intelligent KDB but the movement and decision making of Lukaku is important, in goal, Allison Becker is more trustworthy than the often careless Courtois, great talent but too much nonchalance, in defence, they both have suspects but they both don’t care as long as their midfield can orchestrate and create chances, this has goals written all over it in obvious inks and golden pens.

Verdict: Both to score, Brazil to advance.